Posted by Lolita Ortega
a resident of Shoreline West
on Jun 26, 2013 at 10:47 am

I find it absolutely despicable that this young lady make such a generalized, stereotypical statement such as "being Hispanic, education is not something that is always prioritized." As a LATINA myself, who worked hard my entire educational career and was supported by my entire family to attend college, I am so offended and saddened that THIS is the type of "success" story that is published. Why does the privileged white community always get credit for "saving" the poor youth of color from themselves and their own destructive behaviors? Even when they themselves don't believe in their own potential (as Leslie didn't), it is the privileged in power that are championed and applauded on a public forum such as this. My parents are both immigrants, I lived in low income housing in Mountain View my entire life with my 4 siblings. We struggled but never once did I or anyone in my LATINO family say "oh education is not really our priority". After our family, education was our ONLY other priority. It was our way out of poverty. Our chance at the "American Dream". Eventually I was accepted to UC Berkeley, graduated and enrolled in a teacher credentialing program and I am now an educator is East San Jose. My ultimate goal as a teacher is to inspire self confidence and a deep love for learning in each of my students, so NO ONE can continue to make claims that Latinos don't care about education.

Posted by Steven Nelson
a resident of Cuesta Park
on Jun 27, 2013 at 1:18 pm

Many immigrant communities have faced the same priority (education) and 'claims against us' hurtles. I also was the first in my family to attend college (Berkeley). The Irish in America were also not an entirely welcome group (also Italians, Jews, Catholics, Chinese, etc) The Scots-Irish, from their economic diaspora in No. Ireland (if you know the history of Anglo-Saxon colonialism), were neither welcomed on the Emerald Isle or particularly welcome in America.

So - my grandfather (UK) and grandmothers (Germany) made their way as best they could in the early 20th century. And the families that make it best in the US adopt EDUCATION as a family priority. I'm glad yours did Lolita! I'm glad my truck-driving dad and retail-clerk mom did also. I'm glad the families at Castro School are jumping into this with the Foothill College sponsored family program.

Posted by Lolita
a resident of Shoreline West
on Aug 20, 2013 at 4:17 pm

Exactly GSB!!! I was just upset about the assumption the HER experience/mindset about education applies to all "Hispanics" (a term many of us rather not use). It is really mostly that line that really bothered me. Promoting the culture of poverty ideology by a Latina always irks me. I apologize if I came across as rude. I was angry.